Russian soldier faces life in prison over alleged killing of 5 Ukrainian troops, civilian in Kharkiv Oblast
The suspect was identified as 36-year-old Leonid Ryzhikov, a Russian citizen from St. Petersburg who served in the 2nd Battalion of Russia's 1009th Motorized Rifle Regiment.
A Russian soldier, Leonid Ryzhikov, has been charged with war crimes for allegedly killing five unarmed Ukrainian service members and a civilian in Kharkiv Oblast on October 13. The suspect, a 36-year-old Russian citizen from St. Petersburg, was mobilized into the Russian army in late July after serving time for grievous bodily harm and theft.
On October 5-6, Ryzhikov fled his position after coming under Ukrainian fire and began moving toward Kharkiv on foot. He allegedly stole civilian clothes and was later found to have killed a local resident and five Ukrainian soldiers who were unarmed and dressed in civilian clothes. Ryzhikov was arrested in Kharkiv on October 14 and faces life imprisonment if convicted.
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